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Review: Rage - Wings of Rage
Rage
www.rage-official.com
Wings of Rage

Label: Steamhammer
Year released: 2020
Duration: 54:36
Tracks: 12
Genre: Heavy/Power Metal

Rating:
3.75/5


Review online: January 12, 2020
Reviewed by: Bruno Medeiros
Readers' Rating
How do you rate this release?

Rated 3.83/5 (76.67%) (6 Votes)
Review

Since The Devil Strikes Again came out in 2016, Rage are looking back at their '90s golden era with fondness and borrowed the more riff-centered, heavier approach of the time at the detriment of the more melodic, semi-neoclassical style that the Viktor Smolski era offered, which is actually working out pretty well for their sound. This time around, while there are extremely potent passages and the ode to the '90s continues (hell, there's even a new rendition of their main hit "Higher Than the Sky" here), the trio managed to bring back melodies akin to their late 2000s.

Heavier, angrier tracks like "Let Them Rest in Peace" and "Chasing the Twilight Zone"—two efforts that could easily feature on the End of All Days (1996) album—contrast with more modern, melodic songs such as opener "True" and "Tomorrow", showcasing a multifaceted band meticulously choosing their instrumental parts to cover most of their fanbase and newcomers alike.

It's clear that Peavy knows how important the band's history is and where his most effective roots are, as shown on the title track, both catchy in the chorus and powerful in the riffs and drum lines. "Wings of Rage" has a simple chorus and an energetic dose of the heavy/power metal German groups are recognized for. "A Nameless Grave" follows the same path, providing an interesting critical view, in fact, about the tens of millions that give their lives in wars all over the World.

Having a 37+ year career is nothing short of impressive, and the fact that Peavy never lost his way and was always surrounded by stellar musicians and songwriters helped shape the way to this experienced and still energetic Rage. All in all, Wings of Rage is a good endeavor by one of Germany's greatest, which should keep bringing them new fans and making old ones come back for more. It is the weakest record featuring this formation, but nevertheless a very fun one. Rage on!

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Review: End of All Days (reviewed by Bruno Medeiros)
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